Pinus tropicalis

Morelet

Pinaceae

Common Name:

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General Information

Pinus tropicalis is an evergreen tree with an irregular, open crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 75% of the tree's height, and around 180cm in diameter[

A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.

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Despite extensive exploitation,Pinus tropicalis is still common in western Cuba. Regeneration seems to be good in many areas especially where it is protected from grazing pressures. Overexploitation for timber, however, remains a potential threat to the survival of naturally occurring (wild) subpopulations. In addition, where wild stands are cleared for timber, foresters sometimes replace them with plantings of other species, especially Pinus caribaea. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

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Botanical References

Range

Caribbean - western Cuba

Habitat

Savannahs and scrubland on coastal plains and low foothills, growing on very well-drained but nutrient-poor sandy or gravelly alluvial soils which are dry due to their rapid drainage; at elevations up to 300 metres[

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Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

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The ovoid seed cones are 5 - 8cm long and up to 5cm wide; they take two growing seasons to mature. The cones open and release their seed whilst still attached to the tree, persisting on the tree for several years after opening[

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This is one of several Pinus species that have a juvenile life stage. After germinating, the seedlings produce secondary foliage but the central shoot does not elongate - at this stage the plant looks more like a bunchgrass than a pine. Especially when growing in shade, the plant can remain in this juvenile stage for several years, developing a large taproot but not increasing in height. If the light levels increase (due to removal of tree cover by fire, deforestation or some other reason) then the plant commences rapid height growth[

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This species is in part sympatric with Pinus caribaea, which is also found at higher elevations. Pine savannahs are open, grass-dominated lowland areas which burn frequently; Pinus tropicalis has an advantage over Pinus caribaea through its 'grass stage' by which the seedling can survive successive fires. Thus in natural environments it becomes frequently the only pine in this vegetation type[

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

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The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[

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Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

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Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[